Lib Novel Page 95
“Say what?”
“What you just said,” he persists. “Do you really believe Oakrest has been isolated on purpose?”
I shrug. “Well, hasn’t it? I thought the whole purpose of the pack security team in this small place was to make sure nobody can breach the South Alliance border.”
Noah blinks at me, and then he relaxes, saying, “You’re right. We are on the edge of the territory, after all.”
I sip my drink, taken aback by his strange reaction. The pumpkin latte tastes abnormally sweet. My tongue tingles as the flavor hits it, and I excuse myself to get a bottle of water. There is no way I can swallow that entire thing and not make a face. I enjoy desserts like any other person, but for some reason, pumpkins are the bane of my existence. Especially pumpkin-flavored items.
I am glad that Noah got to-go cups because I have no intention of finishing this latte. I have to keep sipping it, unfortunately, because he doesn’t seem to be planning to leave anytime soon. I’m only halfway done with my drink, and it’s already been thirty minutes. My head is feeling a little light now, and I glance ruefully at the empty bottle of water on the table. I wish I could go get another one, but I don’t want to hurt Noah’s feelings about his choice of beverage for me.
He’s engaging me in idle chatter, but his eyes are hyper focused on my cup. I’ve commented a couple of times that it’s a nice drink, but that doesn’t seem to satisfy him. Finally, out of options, I suggest, “Why don’t we head out now?”
“You don’t want to finish your coffee?” he asks, disappointed.
“I will, but I like to sip my drinks slowly.” I force a smile on my face and get to my feet. He has no other choice but to follow.
“I have to pick up some papers from my apartment,” he says suddenly. “Do you mind if we stop by my place?”
“Sure.” Maybe I can chuck the rest of this liquid abomination while he’s distracted.
He doesn’t live very far from the coffee shop, and his apartment is on the second floor. When I enter, I’m not surprised to see the luxurious setup. As I run my hand across the back of the leather couch, I marvel at its softness. I have half a mind to lie down on it. What is this strange drowsiness? My limbs seem heavy. In fact, my whole body is feeling strange now.
Noah eyes me. “I’ll just be a few minutes. Make yourself at home.”
His apartment is massive, with a large living room and kitchen that open onto a terrace, and a long hallway that leads to other rooms. He heads into one at the end of the hall, and I look out a window. This place is not far from my own apartment. Maybe a ten-minute walk?
My body feels hot now, and I’m sure it’s the potions. I’ve been feeling weird ever since I took that healing potion from Rita. I set down my coffee cup on the kitchen counter and try to pour myself a glass of water, but my hands are shaking.
I cast an anxious look toward the room where Noah disappeared.
Should I call out to him?
No, my wolf does not want to be vulnerable around Noah. It is feeling anxious and agitated, and it wants to come out.
As I stare down at my hands, I think I see fur sprouting on the tops of them. I shake my head. I have to get out of here.
I don’t feel sick, exactly; this is something else. A burning sensation—like I’ve felt once before.
Stumbling out the door of the apartment, I see four members of the pack security team standing in the corridor. They were not there before. I quickly come back inside and close the door behind me.
What is going on?
I’m beginning to feel trapped now. I make my way back to the window and open it. Peering down, I see it’s a sharp drop, but I think I can make it.
I really want to get out of this place. It feels like my body is going to combust. After positioning myself on the windowsill, I jump down. My knees scrape slightly against the rough stone garden at the bottom, but I don’t care. I begin running toward my apartment. I have to get home.
My wolf knows where it’s going. It’s in charge right now. It knows who it is seeking.
This burning sensation is like electrical currents running through every part of my body, focusing on my most vulnerable areas. I can feel wetness down below.
Why is this happening?
I don’t think I have ever been able to run as fast as I am going at this moment.
Reaching my building, I slam into Drew, who is on his way out. His eyes widen at my wild state, and he tries to stop me, but I push him away and sprint up the steps. I hear him call after me, but I don’t even slow down.
My heart feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest. My head isn’t right. It feels fuzzy, and there’s a white heat building up inside me like a crescendo. My body is burning as if someone has started a fire and it’s consuming me.